Jamia Islamia Birmingham

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Jamia Islamia Birmingham Fallows Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, West Midlands B11 1PL

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7b  At the time of the previous inspection in November 2024, the school’s safeguarding arrangements were not fit for purpose. The school did not have an effective system in place for allowing pupils to express concerns about their safety or well-being. Safeguarding procedures were not used effectively in order to identify pupils who may require help, and staff members did not have a clear understanding of how to report concerns about pupils. Additionally, there was no online filtering and monitoring software in place, and the school lacked a systematic approach to managing safeguarding information and concerns.  Since that time, the school has started to take steps to strengthen its safeguarding procedures. However, leaders acknowledge that there is still more work to be done to establish a robust safeguarding culture. The proprietor has commissioned external

p.1

Main inspection findings

support to assist the school in implementing necessary changes. However, this support is still in the early stages, and the school has not developed well-established systems for overseeing safeguarding.  The school has withdrawn its previous safeguarding policy but has not acted quickly enough to put a new policy in place. As a result, it currently lacks a clear written policy that outlines how safeguarding is managed at the school.  The school has reviewed safeguarding roles and responsibilities. A new designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is in post, and they have a secure understanding of their role. Staff have had additional safeguarding training. This training has increased their awareness of the necessity to report all safeguarding concerns.  Soon after the last inspection, the school implemented changes to improve how pupils share their concerns and worries. Through assemblies and discussions with tutors, pupils

p.1

Main inspection findings

are now actively encouraged to talk to adults about their issues. As a result, they feel more confident in expressing their worries and seeking help.  The school has begun to strengthen its approach to recording and managing safeguarding information. These records demonstrate the school is taking timely action to support pupils who need help. This support has involved the school working with external agencies when necessary. However, the approach to record-keeping is not fully developed and systems for managing safeguarding information are not clear. Some key staff are still not able to retrieve safeguarding information.  The school has implemented a system for filtering and monitoring pupils’ online classroom access. This includes school leaders monitoring the use of the school’s internet on a daily basis.  The unmet requirements in this part remain unmet. Paragraphs 9a to 9c and 14  The school’s expectations for pupils’ behaviour are clearly outlined in its policy. The

p.1

Main inspection findings

school addresses incidents of negative behaviour and keeps a record of sanctions imposed for serious misbehaviour. Pupils are properly supervised during lessons and at unstructured times. They understand the school’s rules and behave well. Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes toward learning and work hard. This makes the school a calm and purposeful environment in which to learn.  These standards remain met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  Following the previous inspection, leaders intended to revise the school’s safeguarding policy to reflect changes that had been made in roles and responsibilities. However, the school has not put a revised policy in place. Therefore, the school’s website does not provide a safeguarding policy, and there is no clear, written document outlining how safeguarding is managed.  This standard is not met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  At the time of the previous inspection, the proprietor had not maintained oversight of its duties in order to ensure that the school’s safeguarding arrangements were effective.  In March 2025, the school’s plan to improve the quality of provision was submitted to the Department of Education (DfE) but judged not to be acceptable. The plan lacked specificity about the exact steps leaders intended to take in order to make necessary improvements. Since this time, the school has invited external support to provide guidance in drafting a more suitable plan of action. However, an acceptable plan is not in place.  The proprietor has begun to take demonstrable steps to strengthen the school’s safeguarding culture. These steps are starting to make a positive difference, but there is more work to do. Effective systems are not in place for the proprietor to maintain

p.2

Main inspection findings

sufficient strategic oversight of the school’s work. Lines of accountability and procedures for leaders to monitor the effectiveness of the school’s safeguarding procedures are not clear.  The unmet requirements in this part remain unmet.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 The school has an accessibility plan that fulfils the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

p.3

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

p.4

School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

p.5

School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 25

p.5

School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 2 to 4 July 2024

p.5

Information about this school

 Jamia Islamia Birmingham is an independent Islamic day school for boys aged 11 to 19.  The most recent standard inspection was 2 to 4 July 2024, when the school’s overall effectiveness was judged to require improvement.  A material change inspection was conducted on 28 November 2025, when the school was judged unlikely to meet the independent school standards that were checked.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school does not use any external supply staff.  The previous headteacher left the school in February 2025. The chair of the proprietor board is now acting as headteacher and is supported by five other senior leaders. In addition, a new DSL, employed from within the school, started in post in December 2024.

p.5

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the DfE. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged unlikely to meet at its previous inspection.  This is the first monitoring inspection of the school since it was judged to not comply with the independent school standards in November 2024.  The inspectors held discussions with the school’s headteacher, the DSL and representatives of the proprietor board. These discussions focused on the progress made against the previously unmet independent school standards and the arrangements for safeguarding.  The inspectors reviewed the single central record of checks made about the suitability of adults. They also looked at a range of other documents and a sample of safeguarding records.  Inspectors spoke to staff and pupils to find out about their experiences at the school.

p.7

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted without notice.

p.7

Inspection team

Jonathan Leonard, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection.

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

p.8

Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request; guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Part 6. Provision of information

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

p.9

Part 6. Provision of information

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

p.9

Part 6. Provision of information

excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked-after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.9

Part 6. Provision of information

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Part 6. Provision of information

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Part 6. Provision of information

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9